Director Prosit Roy deserves a pat on the back from horror buffs. Even with a disjointed screen play Pari is far better a horror movie than what the other reliable horror makers of Bollywood have dished out.

With a slight effort on the screenplay Prosit Roy could have probably given us our first ghost who even walks away with our sympathy. Actually Anushka does create some sympathy for herself in the movie. You are both scared of her and feel sad for her Rukhsana. That speaks volume about the character that Prosit Roy creates.

The movie deserves once a dekho from all Bollywood horror fans because for a change the movie stays away from the regular bhoot in the corner tricks. In fact the background from which Rukhsana emerges is scary enough. I will not reveal that because it is scary enough to assume that someone has existed in his/her life like that.

Parambrata gets another role worth noticing after Kahani and he does a very good job. His Arnab adds to the scary aura of Pari.

Rajat Kapoor as the ghost slayer modern age professor is as usual effortlessly effective. He brings a certain ruthlessness to the front. Prosit Roy’s biggest winner effort in this movie is of course the way he dilutes the boundaries between the good and the bad. By the climax you are not so sure if Rukhsana deserved to go the way she did.

The scary scenes of Pari are derived from the fear its characters are feeling and that fear connects with you – that is the biggest brilliance of Pari – in most horror movies while the characters on screen are acting scared audiences are laughing loud not in most key scenes of Pari. That is a rare sight for a Bollywood Horror movie.

This is one movie where after it ends you would want to ask the director to rework on it and release a second version with a better screenplay – you do not want to dismiss it as a bad movie – Pari is that good in the scenes that make impact.

Three stars for the fact that after a long time this is one sincerely made horror movie.

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Pari Review

Director Prosit Roy deserves a pat on the back from horror buffs. Even with a disjointed screen play Pari is far better a horror movie than what th...read more

Director Prosit Roy deserves a pat on the back from horror buffs. Even with a disjointed screen play Pari is far better a horror movie than what the other reliable horror makers of Bollywood have dished out.

With a slight effort on the screenplay Prosit Roy could have probably given us our first ghost who even walks away with our sympathy. Actually Anushka does create some sympathy for herself in the movie. You are both scared of her and feel sad for her Rukhsana. That speaks volume about the character that Prosit Roy creates.

The movie deserves once a dekho from all Bollywood horror fans because for a change the movie stays away from the regular bhoot in the corner tricks. In fact the background from which Rukhsana emerges is scary enough. I will not reveal that because it is scary enough to assume that someone has existed in his/her life like that.

Parambrata gets another role worth noticing after Kahani and he does a very good job. His Arnab adds to the scary aura of Pari.

Rajat Kapoor as the ghost slayer modern age professor is as usual effortlessly effective. He brings a certain ruthlessness to the front. Prosit Roy’s biggest winner effort in this movie is of course the way he dilutes the boundaries between the good and the bad. By the climax you are not so sure if Rukhsana deserved to go the way she did.

The scary scenes of Pari are derived from the fear its characters are feeling and that fear connects with you – that is the biggest brilliance of Pari – in most horror movies while the characters on screen are acting scared audiences are laughing loud not in most key scenes of Pari. That is a rare sight for a Bollywood Horror movie.

This is one movie where after it ends you would want to ask the director to rework on it and release a second version with a better screenplay – you do not want to dismiss it as a bad movie – Pari is that good in the scenes that make impact.

Three stars for the fact that after a long time this is one sincerely made horror movie.

Pari Review

There was a time where horror movies in Bollywood were advertised as ‘Laash Ka Mountain, Khoon Ka Fountain’. From ghosst in white saree...read more

There was a time where horror movies in Bollywood were advertised as ‘Laash Ka Mountain, Khoon Ka Fountain’. From ghosst in white sarees and possessed, loving wives in lonely castle, Pari is a testament to how far Bollywood has come over the years. After struggling with horror as a genre for ages, Pari is Bollywood’s first step in the right direction.

The story is difficult to discuss without giving out major spoilers, but what can be said without a shadow of doubt that this is the first time Bollywood has bothered to craft the script of a horror film so carefully. The first half of the movie does not shy away from giving you jump scares and heart attacks moments are plenty, but even then somehow your mind remains more occupied with the story- again a rarity in Bollywood horror films. The film grips you within first 5 minutes and is successful in keeping you hooked till the very end.

Praise is reserved for debutante director Prosit Roy, who comes across as a filmmaker with a crystal clear vision that does not go astray even for a second. He knows exactly what he wants and not a single frame looks unnecessary or forced. The amount of blood and gore in the film is a little surprising by Bollywood standards, but Roy shows a deep understanding of his craft by balancing out the gore with satisfiable substantiation.

Coming to performances Anushka Sharma steals the show and it is her film entirely and not just because of the star value. She transitions from vulnerable to scary with the finesse of a pro. In the history of horror movies, I think, this is the first time she makes you feel for the evil. A tricky job for sure. Parambrata Chattopadhyay, as usual, gives a measured performance that has every ingredient in just the right amount and goes to show why he is considered one of the finest actors in regional Bengali cinema. Debutante Ritabhari Chakroborty does not have the meatiest role to sink her teeth into, but delivers in the limited play area she has been assigned. However, the best part about the cast is perhaps Rajat Kapoor who has made Professor Qasim Ali one of the most intriguing things about the film. If you, even for a second, forgot the calibre of Rajat Kapoor, this film would be a great reminder.

The film’s cinematography also warrants a special mention. The gloom of rain drenched Kolkata, the bamboo orchard and slimy ponds of semi-rural Bengal, or the meandering alleys of North Kolkata, the cinematographer Jishnu Bhattacharjee, seamlessly weaves the delicate texture of Kolkata and Bengal without unnecessarily romanticising the backdrop or engaging in the usual cliches. Finally one Bollywood film set in Kolkata without a shot of Howrah Bridge, is refreshing to say the least. The music of the film is also a great contributor to the way the film makes you feel. Music director Ketan Sodha has crafted a sound that strikes just the perfect amount of haunting and heartfelt, which is actually the best way to sum up the films.Also, the make up department deserves so much praise for contributing so greatly to the film.

However, the film is not entirely flawless, of course. The first half although gripping in terms of jump scares offers no insight to the story at all. The knots have been crafted with a lot of patience and the director indulges in carefully layering up the narrative, which sometimes even feel somewhat convoluted. But come the first few minutes of second half and the knot is opened with a quick pull that almost feels jerky to the pace of the film.

The ending is also a little predictable which sort of kills the fun a little.

But taking all into account, Pari is a genre bending attempt at horror that definitely deserves both your time and money.

The rare Bollywood horror film that has a beautifully weaved storyline

We the audience have come to terms with the fact that Bollywood will probably never be capable to coming out with a horror film that has a good scr...read more

We the audience have come to terms with the fact that Bollywood will probably never be capable to coming out with a horror film that has a good script. I mean whenever we go for horror films, we expect a scene from Hollywood, a few from South Korean films or maybe an entire copy of films from other countries. The other original films too would not focus on the story but would rather go for creaking doors and lurking shadow along with a typical music. Also, we have kept the legacy of the Ramsays alive with the fair amount of erotic scenes thrown here and there. Needless to say, in recent times, Bollywood Horror films have become more farcical than scary.

But these thoughts will be shattered once you sit for Pari and watch it. Not just is it refreshing if we talk about the genre of horror, but overall too this movie is brilliant. This one is like no other that you've seen in Bollywood.

Firstly the film has a great story. Yes, you read that right. You would any to sit through the film not just for the horror it has to present but for the suspense, the emotion and the character sketches that has been beautifully done. Secondly, while you will be genuinely scared with the solid jump scare moments in the film, the suspense will also make you impatient. You'd want to know what is going on. The first half has a good dosage of horror, but the second half loosens the tempo a little to focus on the story and the characters.

The second half might look disappointing to many for the hurried pace in which things are brought to an end and the mysteries are solved. That could have been done with a little more care and love.

The performances in the film are top notch. Anushka Sharma is brilliant portraying the confused, troubled and vulnerable Rukshana who is yet to come to terms with her identity. With those expressive eyes, Anushka clearly steals the show. In fact, this can easily be called one of her best performances till date.

Parambrata Chatterer, who is one of the most popular actors in Bengali cinema plays the demure and shy Babai. He performance matches that of Anushka Sharma and he is a treat to watch after Kahaani. The rest of the cast too, including Rajat Kapoor and Ritabhori Chakraborty have delivered their part very well.

The background music is crucial in any horror film and here too it plays a big role. There is just one song in between and a song couldn't have been better placed in a horror film than this one. The end credit lullaby will send chills. The cinematography is another aspect to watch out for. Makeup and prosthetics head, Clover Wooton also deserves a special mention.

Even though the film has a fair amount of scary moments and quite some gore, you won't go home feeling all scared. In fact, it ends in a feel-good way and this would scare you without making you unable to turn around at night. I personally loved how subtly the film showed women bonding and sisterhood.

This is definitely a must watch film that you should not miss, at any cost!